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Empower Your Plate

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Lesson Plan

Empower Your Plate Lesson Plan

Help the student learn to choose healthy foods and speak up about food preferences using simple language and visual social stories.

This lesson builds independence and self-confidence while supporting communication needs and easing anxiety through clear, visual social stories.

Audience

Special Education Students

Time

15 minutes per session

Approach

Simplified instructions with social stories and pictures.

Materials

Empower Your Plate Lesson Plan, Healthy Food Choices Script, and Social Stories with Pictures

Prep

Prepare Visual Aids and Social Stories

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction with Social Stories

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and introduce the topic using simple words.
  • Show a social story with pictures that explains why healthy foods are good and how to express food choices.
  • Ask the student to point to pictures they like and identify any healthy food visuals.

Step 2

Simplified Role-Playing with Visuals

5 minutes

  • Use the Healthy Food Choices Script and social stories to role-play a simple conversation about choosing food.
  • Encourage the student to say 'I would like [healthy food],' using the visual cues as prompts.
  • Provide lots of praise and support.
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Script

Healthy Food Choices Script

Introduction

Teacher: "Hi there! Today, let's talk about healthy foods. Look at these pictures. They show different foods. Can you show me a picture of a healthy food?"




Social Stories with Pictures

Teacher: "This is a social story. See this picture? It shows an apple. Apples are healthy because they help you stay strong. Look, here is a picture of another healthy food, like carrots. They help you see better."







Simple Role Playing

Teacher: "Now, imagine you are at a restaurant. When someone asks, 'What would you like?', you can say, 'I would like an apple, please.' Let's say it together: 'I would like an apple, please.'"












Practice Together

Teacher: "Great job! Now, can you choose one healthy food from these pictures and say, 'I would like [your food] please'?"

(Allow the student time to answer and give lots of praise.)













Conclusion

Teacher: "You did very well today! Remember, eating healthy helps you feel good. Can you tell me one healthy food you like?"

(Allow response and provide praise.)












Teacher: "Thank you! See you next time for more fun with healthy foods!"

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Activity

Social Stories with Pictures

Overview

These social stories are designed to visually support and guide the student in understanding healthy eating and self-advocacy. The stories use simple language and clear pictures to make connections between choosing healthy foods and feeling good.




Story 1: Choosing a Healthy Food

Picture 1: A plate with various foods (fruits, vegetables, and a cookie).

Picture 2: A close-up of an apple and a cookie.

Story Text: "I see many foods. The apple is healthy, and the cookie is a treat. I choose the apple because it helps me stay strong."







Story 2: Speaking Up for What I Like

Picture 1: A smiling child pointing to a picture of a vegetable bowl.

Picture 2: The child speaking to a friendly teacher or caregiver.

Story Text: "When I visit a restaurant or eat at home, I can say, 'I would like the vegetable bowl, please.' This helps me get the food I need to be healthy and happy."







Story 3: Feeling Good with Healthy Food

Picture 1: A happy child holding an apple with a big smile.

Picture 2: The same child playing outside with energy.

Story Text: "Eating healthy food makes me feel good. When I choose my healthy foods, I can play, laugh, and enjoy my day!"







Using These Social Stories

  • Show the pictures and read the story text with the student.
  • Ask the student to describe what they see in each picture.
  • Encourage the student to say the story aloud or point to the pictures to share their understanding.
  • Repeat these stories as part of daily or weekly reinforcement to build familiarity and confidence.












These visual and simple social stories are a key component of the "Empower Your Plate" lesson, supporting the student's journey to making healthy choices and advocating for their preferences.

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